After hours of eating, catching up, and watching really bad movies, Jake crashes on the couch. I'm happy I finally told him. And it looks like he's forgiven me too. I turn everything off, wish him up a blanket, and go to our bedroom. Atla is there laying in bed, reading one of the books I got her by the light of the lamp on her nightstand. "Hey Atla. How are you feeling?" She closes the book and stands up to put it on her shelf. But I intercept and put it there for her, giving her a kiss on the cheek to erase her look of annoyance. "I could have done that myself, Chris. You don't need to dote on me. The book says I can still do things on my own."
"Well did your books tell you that I want to dote one you?" I hold her hands in mine and pull her close to me for a kiss. She places her hands on my shoulders and mine go to her hips. "I guess it's okay then. But I saw some pictures in the books and I'm going to need your help later on. Human women get really big and walk funny and eat weird things. Mermaids don't go through any of that." I steal another kiss before I sit down on the edge of the bed and place her on my lap. "We should probably talk about that. What is mermaid pregnancy like? I mean, how does your kind have children?"
"Well, traditionally a merman will approach a mermaid he has pursued for a while. If she agrees, they proceed to get intimate until their animal instinct takes over." "That's kind of hot, Atla." She play punches me in the shoulder. "It's not like that. Parents have to work themselves up into a trance to do the next part. We normally act as humans do, but when we mate we have to connect to our fish half. The female will lay her eggs and the male will fertilize them." "Wow, that's romantic. Do the parents split after that like with regular fish?" "Oh no. After they fertilize the eggs, the parents are bound until the eggs hatch. They have to work together to keep the eggs safe for about a year until they do. Mermaid eggs are very soft and smooth to survive the water pressure but they can break easily. So they need to be under constant guard. The instinct to protect the young is too strong to leave until they are hatched."
"So, what, once they hatch, the parents leave?" "Most do. Merpeople are born almost fully grown with our instincts to guide us and help us to survive." "Well that's ridiculous. I couldn't leave after the baby-- babies are born. I'll be right next to you the whole time." I kiss her on her cheek. "Now babe. I know your stomach was feeling a little rough earlier, but you have to eat something. What would you like?" Her face lights up at the mention of food. "Oooo. Can I get some strawberry ice cream please?" I snap my finger and a bowl appears in her hands. "With those cookies I like?" Oreos get mixed in the ice cream. "With some sardines?" I look at her weird. "What? I'm a mermaid. It'll be fine." I sigh and her strange request is fulfilled. She takes a big sniff and goes to town, getting ice cream all over her nose and clothes. She almost finishes after a minute so I wish it bigger and refilled. "Thanks, Chris. Didn't realize how hungry I was." I pick her up, place her on the bed, and pull the blankets over her legs while she eats. I go over to my side and tuck myself. "You know what Atla? You haven't used your tail since we found out you were pregnant." She puts the empty pint on her nightstand and I wish it into the trash. "You're right. Do your think I can? Or should? Will it hurt the babies" "I don't see why not. Its your natural form anyway. It should be okay to stretch your fins a little." She turns off her light and crawls under the blankets. "Alright then. We'll try tomorrow in the pool. No, the beach. That way it's pure ocean." I scoot up closer to her till her back is against my stomach. I lace my hand through her fingers and let them rest on her stomach. I kiss the back of her neck. "Whatever you want, babe?" "Well then, I want your hand here." She moves my hand to her breast and let's it rest on top of her thin nightgown. I laugh and kiss her some more but after a while, we both fall asleep, ready for tomorrow.